The role of first degrees in encouraging students to enter the space sector : analysis by the ASTRAIOS project

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Al Asmar, Yolla and Belgiu, Mariana and Vargas Maretto, Raian and Ronzhin, Stanislav and Li, Luong Hanh and Budd Thiemann, Heidi and Dudley, Joseph and Ignjatovic, Danijela and Moser, Jade and Brempou, Christina-Soultana and Panagiotis, Partsinevelos and Petrakis, George and Fiore, Grazia Maria and Maddock, Christie and Bournou, Danai and Pavone, Rosario and Balenciaga, Intza and Kolehmainen, Mari and Kerkezian, Silva and Pantelaki, Irene (2024) The role of first degrees in encouraging students to enter the space sector : analysis by the ASTRAIOS project. In: 75th International Astronautical Congress, 2024-10-14 - 2024-10-18, MICO Convention Centre.

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Abstract

Most European countries are experiencing a skills shortage in the space sector, and many space companies report that degrees are not providing the knowledge required by industry. However, there is currently a lack of data about what the workforce has studied, what is taught in space degrees at university, and the role of first degrees (bachelor’s and master’s) in encouraging people to enter the space workforce. The Horizon Europe project ASTRAIOS (Analysis of Skills, Training, Research and Innovation Opportunities in Space) has collected data on the distribution and content of space-related degrees. In this paper, we use keyword analysis of 3,591 courses offered within 132 degrees available at approximately 70 universities across the EU-27 and UK. We first present the distribution of degrees across the EU-27 and UK using the collected data and compare the results to workforce education data sourced from LinkedIn Talent Insights. We then assess the role of first degrees in encouraging students to enter the space sector, and compare the current offer of degree programmes to the skills gaps experienced in the sector.

ORCID iDs

Al Asmar, Yolla, Belgiu, Mariana, Vargas Maretto, Raian, Ronzhin, Stanislav, Li, Luong Hanh, Budd Thiemann, Heidi, Dudley, Joseph, Ignjatovic, Danijela, Moser, Jade, Brempou, Christina-Soultana, Panagiotis, Partsinevelos, Petrakis, George, Fiore, Grazia Maria, Maddock, Christie ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1079-4863, Bournou, Danai, Pavone, Rosario, Balenciaga, Intza, Kolehmainen, Mari, Kerkezian, Silva and Pantelaki, Irene;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)